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Table of contents
- Chapter 1: Introduction to the France Working Holiday Visa
- Chapter 2: Application overview, required documents
- Chapter 3: FAQ about the mandatory WHV insurance
- Chapter 4: Starting your application on France-Visas
- Chapter 5: The VFS Global appointment
- Chapter 6: Visa issuance and departure preparation
Application overview, required documents
Application overview
Applications are accepted no earlier than three months before your planned departure date. You must submit your application in person at a VFS Global centre (private third-party service provider for governments worldwide). It will then be forwarded to the French consulate for processing.
- Step 1: Fill out the online visa application.
- Step 2: Only if you are a resident of Quebec, request your attestation de séjour de la RAMQ.
- Step 3: Book an appointment at a VFS centre.
- Step 4: Submit your completed application and supporting documents to VFS.
- Step 5: Await approval, your passport will be mailed back with the visa inside.
Required documents
When submitting your application at the VFS Global centre, you must present the following supporting documents:
- Your Canadian passport. It must be signed and valid for at least 3 months beyond the end date of your stay in France. It must also contain at least 2 blank pages for the visa.
- One recent ID picture, taken against a plain and light background. The photo must follow the guidelines outlined by the Consulate General of France in Canada.
- Cover letter written in English or French addressed to the Consulate General of France explaining why you are applying for a Working Holiday Visa. You should also state that you commit to respecting the validity period of your visa. Learn more.
- Proof of funds of at least €2,500 (or equivalent in CAD) in your name to cover your arrival in France.
- Commitment to leave France. If you have bought a return or onward flight to leave France, you may use that as proof of commitment. Otherwise, plan to show an additional €1,000 of savings (on top of the required minimum) to prove that you have the means to purchase a flight later on.
- Proof of private medical insurance covering health care, hospitalization, and repatriation for the full duration of your stay in France (further explained in chapter 3).
- Residents of Quebec must also provide their attestation de séjour de la RAMQ.
Canadian applicants are exempt from providing a medical certificate and criminal record check. To learn more, read Important tips for Canadians applying for a France Working Holiday Visa.
You must also print the following documents, which will be available to you once you complete your online application form.
- The VFS appointment confirmation receipt
- Completed visa application form, dated and signed. You’ll get a copy of the form after completing your application on France-Visas.
- Receipt of visa application. It is provided in the same PDF document as your application and contains a list of documents to bring with you. See the following image.
To learn more about the mandatory private medical insurance, read chapter 3. Otherwise, chapter 4 will explain how to start your online visa application.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV insurance since 2005. They’ve already covered thousands of working holiday makers, to France and elsewhere!
(66) Comments
Hi Jackson!
I had a question about the insurance cover and cover letter… I currently pay for Cigna Global Worldwide that renews on May 9 2026… I also bought a return flight on May 6 2026 as that was the cheapest option.
I can’t renew my insurance early of course, and it was so expensive that I don’t want to buy another cover… is it ok to state in my cover letter that I would like to spend part of 2026 in France and then stay longer than I intended? I will obviously renew my insurance in May of next year and I would only stay as long as my visa permits (I’ve had the Aus and England WHVs too and I’ve never overstayed and would never either).
Hi Safia. I don’t fully understand your question. What is your situation exactly? You are on your first WHV and want to apply for a second WHV next year? What cover letter are you talking about?
Hi there,
For the cover letter portion of the application how much information did you share about your itinerary and how thorough was your cover letter?
I currently don’t have an exact itinerary besides cities I’d like to visit and I’m afraid my application will be denied if I don’t share enough information.
I plan to write a basic cover letter stating: purpose of travel, intent to leave and financial means of support throughout the stay. Is there any other vital information that I should include(thorough itinerary, etc)?
Itinerary is not required. It’s enough to just explain your interest in France. But they don’t need to know your exact plan. Most working holiday makers don’t even have one themselves!
Hi, I’m currently in the process of waiting for a VFS appointment slot to open up.
The only thing I’m unsure of is do I need to bring proof of accommodation to the VFS appointment or can I book my accommodation once I’ve been granted a visa and in my hands?
Multiple tutorials are giving me varying instructions. Some say to book inward plane ticket/accommodation to show proof at the VFS appointment, some don’t. As I would like to buy a plane ticket AFTER I have my VISA in hand like you suggested, I’d like to preferably do the same (if possible) for my accommodation.
Besides the required docs that are on the registration form that France-Visas gives me is there anything else I need to bring as proof in order for a WHV Visa to be granted? (Accommodation, inward plane ticket, etc)
Thank you very much for the help!
Hi. If you look at your official checklist, neither proof of accommodation nor France-bound plane ticket is listed. I myself didn’t present either of them when I applied. The housing address is for reference purposes only and is not binding in any way.
Thanks for the reassurance! Appreciate the help.
Hi,
I am applying for the WHV from Toronto Ontario, I am in france right now for vacation waiting for my appointment at the VFS to get my WHV.
I finally found on appointment in Montreal because I never find any in Toronto.
I took that appointment but I saw after that on my application it says that my VFS is Toronto, can I still use Montreal to get it ? Do I need to change in my application and put Montreal instead of Toronto ?
I am going to fly back to Canada just for my appointment I just want to make sure I am doing the right thing
And after this appointment how long does it need to get the Visa ?
Thank you for your help !
Jorge
Hi Jorge. I’m not sure about this. I recommend that you contact VFS support to confirm. And please let us know here once you have the answer, thanks!
Hi Jackson,
I’m in a bit of a situation – I’ve been working in Paris on a WHV and it’s expiring in 2 months. I’d like to either renew or apply for a Talent Passport but I’m unable to do so online since I don’t have a foreign number.
The local Prefecture has also been unhelpful they’re confused. Do you know if I can apply for a status change from France or if I need to go back to Canada? I’m trying to avoid going back by all means.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Alireza. It’s true that WHVers do not have a foreigner number. APS holders do, however, get one. I don’t know much about the Talent Passport, but if you want a foreigner number and thereby gain access to the ANEF portal, you can apply for an APS. The steps are explained in https://pvtistes.net/en/extend-working-holiday-france/
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